4 Signs of Constipation in Babies, Plus Causes and Cures

As new parents, you'll always be looking for your baby's next smile, laugh, and coo—little reassurances that they're happy and healthy. Poop, although not nearly as pleasant, is another thing parents often monitor.

When your baby is pooping regularly, it's likely a sign that they're taking in enough food and disposing of the rest, says Jennifer Shu, M.D., an Atlanta-based pediatrician and coauthor of Food Fights: Winning The Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor, and A Bottle of Ketchup. So it's understandable that the absence of poop can be a cause for concern.

Keep reading for a lowdown on baby constipation symptoms, causes, treatment, and more.

4 Signs of Constipation in Babies

It's important to note that babies' poop schedules can swing on both sides of the spectrum. Some exclusively breastfed babies poop after every meal; others have been known to hold out for a week or longer, Dr. Shu says. Both situations can be normal, as long as their bowel movements look healthy and your baby does not appear to be uncomfortable or in any pain. Here are some of the signs of constipation that you can look for.

1. Their stool is hard and dry

"Consistency is key to defining constipation in breastfed babies. Rather than liquidy, seedy, pasty stools, the constipated baby's stool will be more like little clay balls," says Jane Morton, M.D., a clinical professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, "though it is extremely rare for an exclusively breastfed baby to be constipated."

Formula-fed babies can be all over the map, too. And when solid foods enter the picture, parents should be prepared for the frequency, form, and color to change again. But as a frame of reference, babies 0 to 4 months of age poop on average three to four times a day, and after the introduction of solid foods, that reduces to approximately one bowel movement per day.

2. They haven't pooped in a long time

One obvious sign of constipation in babies is a prolonged absence of poop. If your little one isn't having at least several bright, yellow (not dark brown or green) poops on Day 5 of life, something could be wrong, regardless of whether they're on breast milk or formula, Dr. Morton says. This usually has to do with the baby not getting enough to eat.

3. They have difficulty passing stool

But frequency is not the only clue of constipation. Your newborn might also be constipated if their poop is hard or difficult to pass. Harder poops can stretch the anal walls a bit, which causes bleeding and a small streak of bright-red blood in the stool.

4. Their belly is hard or painful to the touch

If your baby is making straining faces and if their antics are coupled with a firm belly that's painful to the touch, their intestines could be backed up. Your baby could also have constipation if they refuse to eat. If nothing's coming out, a baby might feel so uncomfortable that they won't take any more in, Dr. Shu says.

What Causes Baby Constipation?

Although it's rare for a baby on an all-liquid diet to experience constipation, it can happen. Exclusively formula-fed babies are much more likely to have trouble from constipation, Dr. Morton says. Formula can firm up poop much more than breast milk can, Dr. Shu adds.

If your baby has a milk-protein allergy or intolerance, they could end up constipated. A milk-based formula could cause this, as well as the dairy in someone'ss diet that's passed through the breast milk. This also carries over to any other kinds of dairy an older baby could consume, such as yogurt and cheese.

When a baby is around 6 months, pediatricians often give parents the green light to offer an array of foods. What your infant eats will largely determine the kind of poop you can expect, Dr. Shu says. And many different foods could contribute to constipation. Start by considering your ABCs—applesauce, bananas, and cereal, Dr. Morton says. Too much of any of these, especially rice cereal, can get you into trouble. When you start introducing table foods, it might be even harder to pinpoint the constipation culprit, so try to offer a variety of foods as part of a balanced diet to ward off constipation.

How to Treat Baby Constipation

A change in formula or in the nursing parent's diet could help combat constipation in formula-fed and breastfed babies, respectively. Solid foods, which are often the cause of constipation, can also be the cure, Dr. Shu says. Several kinds of fruits and veggies, such as pears and broccoli, can get things back on track, along with fruit juice and water.

When a change in diet isn't doing the trick, talk to your pediatrician before employing other methods. The doctor might suggest rectal stimulation with the use of a cotton swab or rectal thermometer. This usually produces a bowel movement within several minutes of stimulation, Dr. Shu says.

Another possible is a glycerin suppository. If it works, it could take about an hour to produce a poop, Dr. Shu says. Other suggestions may include Miralax, a tasteless powder you can mix into a drink; senna, a natural vegetable laxative; and lactulose, a synthetic sugar used for treating constipation. Ask your pediatrician before trying any of these treatment options.